Automatic bomb-dropping device



Dec. 31, 1929. A. LOMBARDO 1,741,195

AUTOMATIC BOMB DROPPING DEVICE Filed Feb. 10. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lan'zbarzza 1 n M Briti- E. 7 m m WWII/1111141113? m 1 A I. 5 EM -=1. 1 J 5: p 53: 1

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Dec. 31, 1929. A. LOMBARDO 1,741,195

AUTOMATIC nous naorrms msvxca Fjiled Feb. 1 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 46 21 44 0 45 I 45/ 54/11 flS In flrz f orzzo lombamb BY A'ITORNEY Patented Dec. 31, 1929 U EED ST TE S TEN orric AUTOMATIC BOMB-DROI PING DEVICE Application filed February 10, 1928. Serial No. 253,294.

This invention relates to a new and useful device in the nature of an automatic bomb dropping device especially adapted for dropping bombs from aeroplanes, airships and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a device adapted to hold a plurality of bombs in combination with a manually operated means of releasing the said bombs as may be desired.

A further object of'the invention is to provide a device of the class described of novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an aeroplane equipped with my improved device.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevational View of my improved device.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view thereof showing the cover removed so as to more clearly show the construction of my improved device.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the bomb release mechanism as embodied in my improved device showing same in an engaged position.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 7 is a similar view to that shown in Fig. 5, illustrating the bomb release mechanism in a disengaged position.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the bomb locking door as embodied in my improved device.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

As here embodied my improved device comprises a container of box like construction consisting of a base 10, a cover 11 and sides 12 and 13. Brackets 14 and 15 are secured to the upper edges of the sides 12 and 13, respectively, as a means of attaching'my improved device, in a suspended position to any suitable portion of an aeroplane, airship or the like, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, in Y which I have shown by improved device secured to and suspended from the lower wing 16 of the aeroplane 17 It is obvious from the following description that my improved device must be secured to a portion of the plane,

such as will permit the bombs contained therein when released to fall clearly of the aeroplane, airship or the like, to which same is attached, so as to permit the said bomb to fall on the ground or any desired object for the purpose of bombing the said objective.

Vertical partitions" 18 and 19 are secured to the base 10 and cover 11 and are positioned in proximity to the sides 12 and 13, respectively. End members 20,21 and 22, 23 vertically disposed are secured to the base 10 and cover 11, and are adapted to form separate compartments 24 and 25, adapted, to enclose or hold the bombs 26, 27 and 28, 29 respectively, which are positioned or arranged in a vertical pile in the said compartments.

The bomb locking doors 30 and 31 are slidably mounted in guide members 32, secured to the base 10, and are adapted to enclose the open portions of base 10, directly below the said compartments 24 and 25. The rods 33 are secured to the locking doors 30 and are horizontally extended therefrom and are slidably mounted in the brackets 34 secured to the under portion of the base 10. The rods 33 are provided with handle elements 35, formed or bent at approximately right angles to the main portions of the said rods. The expansion springs 36 are co-axial on the rods 33 and are secured as at 37 at one of their extremities to the said rods in proximity to the said locking doors, as a means of normally holding the said locking doors in a closed position, as a means of preventing the releasing of the bomb placed in the said compartments. The base 10, has formed therein openings 38 adapted to receive the handle elements of the said rods 33, as designated by the reference numeral 39, as a means of holding the locking doors in an open position, so as to permit the bomb to be dropped when released by the mechanism as hereinafter described.

A plurality of bomb release mechanisms consisting of supports 40 are slidably mounted in the brackets 41, secured as at 42, to the portions 18 and 19. A pair of engaging members 43 and 44 are pivotally secured as at 43 and 45, to the supports 40 and to the vertical 1. A bomb dropping extended elements 46 of the said supports. Tension springs 47 are secured to the engaging members 43 and 44 as a means of urglng the said engaging members inwardly, as a means of supporting or holding the above mentioned bombs. The said engaging members 43 and 44 are normally held in horizontal extended position in the said compartments adapted to hold the above mentioned bomb by means of the tension springs 48 secured to the brackets 41 and to the supports 40, openings 49 and 50 are formed in the said portions adapted to slidably receive the said engaging members 43 and 44, respectively. It is understood that a pair of the engaging members 43 and 44 are provided for each support, so as to securely hold the said bombs in position in the said compartments. Flexible members 51 are secured to the outer extended extremities of the supports 40, and are extended therefrom over the rods 52, horizontally disposed and mounted on the supports 53 and 54 secured to the base 10 and the cover 11, and centrally positioned vertically in the above mentioned container. The flexible members-51 are extended upwardly from the rods 52 through openings formed in the cover 11 and extended therefrom 53, suitably secured to any convenient suitable portion of the aeroplane 17, and have secured thereto, at their extended extremities handles 54, positioned in convenient reach of the operator, observer or passenger of the said aeroplane. The above described construction is such as will obviously permit the bombs to be released When the said handles are manually pulled by the operator, observer or passenger of the aeroplane.- The said bomb release mechanism assuming the position as clearly shown in Fig. 7, of the accompanying drawing. The above described construction also is such as will permit the engaging members 43 and 44, to strike the portions 18 and 19, as designated by the reference numerals 55 and 56,-respectively, when the handle 54 is released for the purpose of preventing the bomb release mechanism thus operated to interfere with the releasing of the bombs positioned above'the bomb which has been released.

Having'thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is device, comprising a container for bombs, brackets mounted thereon, supports with extensions slidably mounted in the brackets, pairs of bomb engager members movably mounted on the supports and extensions, springs connected between the said pairs of members for clamping bonibs in loaded position when the engager members are extended andfor retracting the engager members into collapsed positions upon a discharge of the said bombs, means for urging the said supports so that the engager members are extended and means for moving the said supports so that'the bombs are discharged. v

2. In a bomb dropp ng device, a pan of In testimony whereof signature.

ANTONIO LOMBARDO. 

